Galaxy S23+ • Unlocked vs OnePlus 12 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, released in February 2023, and the OnePlus 12, launched globally in February 2024, represent two distinct approaches to the premium Android smartphone experience. While both devices offer robust performance and advanced features, they differentiate themselves through their display technologies, camera philosophies, and software support commitments. Both run on the Android operating system, with Samsung utilizing its One UI overlay and OnePlus featuring OxygenOS.

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors like software support, physical durability, and repairability play a significant role.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S23 Plus was released in February 2023, making it approximately a year older than the OnePlus 12, which launched globally in February 2024. This difference in release dates inherently means the OnePlus 12 will receive software updates for a longer period from its initial purchase date.
• Software Longevity: Samsung has committed to providing four years of Android operating system upgrades and five years of security updates for the Galaxy S23 Plus, extending its support until at least Android 17 and security patches into 2028. The OnePlus 12 offers four years of Android updates and five years of security patches, meaning it will also receive updates for a substantial period, though its hardware is newer.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for display protection, offering enhanced resistance against drops and scratches. The Galaxy S23 Plus carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating a high level of protection against immersion. The OnePlus 12 has an IP65 rating, providing protection against dust and low-pressure water jets, but not full immersion.

Both the Galaxy S23 Plus and the OnePlus 12 are equipped with powerful internal components designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 Plus is powered by a customized processor, optimized for its ecosystem, which delivers strong performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and heavy applications. The OnePlus 12 features a newer generation processor, providing a noticeable boost in raw computational power and graphical capabilities, which translates to smoother operation and potentially better future-proofing for very intensive use cases.
• Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S23 Plus typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most multitasking scenarios. The OnePlus 12 offers higher RAM configurations, starting at 12GB and going up to 16GB, allowing for more applications to run simultaneously in the background without slowdowns. Both devices utilize fast internal storage, with options for 256GB or 512GB, though neither supports expandable storage via microSD cards.
• Battery Endurance and Charging: The Galaxy S23 Plus houses a 4700 mAh battery, providing reliable all-day power for most users, with some reporting up to two days of moderate use. It supports 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The OnePlus 12 features a larger 5400 mAh battery, often resulting in extended screen-on time and multi-day usage for many. It boasts significantly faster wired charging at 100W (80W in the US) and 50W wireless charging, allowing for very rapid power replenishment.

The visual experience on both smartphones is a highlight, with each offering a high-quality display tailored for immersive viewing.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels). The OnePlus 12 sports a larger 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a Quad HD+ resolution (3168 x 1440 pixels), offering a sharper image due to its higher pixel density.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both displays offer excellent brightness levels, with the Galaxy S23 Plus reaching a peak of 1750 nits and the OnePlus 12 capable of an even higher peak brightness of 4500 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Both phones feature adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions, with the OnePlus 12 capable of scaling down to 1Hz for improved power efficiency.
• Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S23 Plus provides a vibrant and clear viewing experience, suitable for media consumption and daily use. The OnePlus 12's larger, higher-resolution display offers a more expansive and detailed canvas, which can be particularly beneficial for users who consume a lot of high-resolution content or prefer more screen real estate for productivity.

Both devices offer versatile camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It delivers consistent and well-processed images with natural color reproduction. The OnePlus 12 also has a triple-camera system, co-developed with Hasselblad, comprising a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and 6x in-sensor zoom. This setup is noted for its realistic colors and strong telephoto performance.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 Plus excels in everyday photography, producing sharp and detailed images with good dynamic range. Its video recording capabilities are strong, supporting 8K at 30fps with improved stabilization. The OnePlus 12 is praised for its versatile camera, particularly its portrait mode and selfie quality, often producing compelling results. Its main sensor performs well in various lighting, and the telephoto lens offers good detail at zoomed distances.
• Front Camera and Audio: The Galaxy S23 Plus includes a 12MP front camera, capable of capturing detailed selfies and video calls. The OnePlus 12 features a higher-resolution 32MP front camera, which can be advantageous for users prioritizing selfie quality. Both phones offer good microphone quality for calls and video recording, and their stereo speakers provide a satisfactory audio experience for media consumption.